Lubbock mother airs warning about man who attempted to nab daughter

A Lubbock mother is warning women and girls about a man who tried to abduct her teen daughter.

The man masturbated in front of the 15-year-old girl after calling her to his vehicle and asking for directions, Lubbock police said.

The teen reported to police he chased her down the street and tried to kidnap her at about 5 p.m. Sept. 19 in the area of 54th Street and Utica Avenue.

The girl said he yelled at her and offered to give her $1,000 if she lifted up her shirt.

The teen was able to get away.

The mother, who didn't want to be named because of her daughter, said her concern increased when she heard a similar incident happened to a woman in her late 20s this past weekend.

The woman called 911 on Sunday night after a man drove up and asked her for directions in front of the Wal-Mart in the 4200 block of South Loop 289, police department call records show. She said she witnessed him masturbating.

Both the teen and woman gave similar descriptions of the man, though police didn't know if the two cases were related.

The woman, who didn't file a police report, described him as being in his late 20s or early 30s with a dark complexion. The teen told police the man appeared to be Hispanic, was in his mid-30s and had a slender build.

Police said they believe the man who approached the teen was driving an '80s model, full-size Bronco that had some body damage, possibly bad paint.

The teen's mother wants the man off the streets: "I'm very angry. ... I'm just afraid this man is going to do this to another child."

She said she has been carrying around a sketch of the man and showing it to people in the area in an effort to warn them. The area where her daughter was approached is near a park, a day care center and a school, which increases her concern for others.

Authorities had not been alerted to any other similar incidents but encourage residents to be cautious. Police advise people to not approach strange vehicles and to walk in groups.

Police had several leads in the case involving the teen.

They ask anyone with information about the man to call Crime Line at 741-1000. Residents also were encouraged to report suspicious activity.